Pat Quinn called the players over yesterday to let them know in a loud, stern voice -- punctuated by some stick-banging and colourful language -- that cutting corners, even in practice, isn't going to fly.

"Just work habits," said Quinn, when asked about the message he's trying to get across.

"I've always felt that practices are very important. You have to execute and look for perfection there because that becomes the habit that you take on the ice during the games. It's just a reminder that we're looking for execution, especially when we're doing team drills."

After four preseason losses in a row, and the regular season less than a week away, it's time to sharpen up.

"As we're seeing the games play on, he's seeing some weaknesses that he'd like us to pay a little bit more attention to," said defenceman Sheldon Souray.

"It's still early, for sure, but we're kind of getting into some of the habits we've had in the last year or two and he wants us to get rid of those."

Final auditions

Quinn won't dress his final roster tonight against the Canucks, not when there are still decisions to be made.

"We've had guys who've played five games so rather than grind them we'll take another look at some of the guys who are in competition up front," he said.

"Up front, we still have continuing evaluation and the hard decision is going to come. We think we have NHL skill past the 12 that we're going to select."

Pisani questionable

Fernando Pisani, who's only played in two preseason games is questionable for tonight. He just didn't get the call in the first week of camp and then his back went out a few days ago. Not the best situation for a guy who needs to prove himself again.

"Everybody, when they step on the ice, wants to prove theselves and that's the situation I'm in," he said. "I want to show how I can play."